How much does a Hand surgeon make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Hand surgeon
Image that illustrates Hand surgeon

Hand surgeon

93 600 kr

Specialist doctors

84 600 - 110 600 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

Hälso- & sjukvård

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Hand surgeon

Average salary 93 600 kr
Males 94 300 kr
Females 92 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 188 Vacant jobs ->

What does a hand surgeon do? – Tasks and work environment

A hand surgeon is a specialist doctor who diagnoses and treats injuries and medical conditions in the hands, wrists, and sometimes forearms. The workday involves advanced surgical procedures, often with microscopic techniques, to restore function and reduce pain in patients. Hand surgeons mainly work in specialist clinics or hospitals, performing both planned surgeries and emergency interventions. The work environment is characterized by a fast pace, technical precision, and close collaboration with other professionals such as orthopedists, physiotherapists, and anesthesiologists.

Salary development over time

The salary of a hand surgeon has shown a clear positive trend over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 86,400 SEK per month, increasing to 92 200 SEK in 2023 and further to 93 600 SEK in 2024. The total increase amounts to approximately 8.3% over the period, which is well above the average for many other healthcare professions. The driving factors behind this salary growth include increased demand for specialist doctors, especially in surgical disciplines, and the fact that hand surgery requires extensive training and advanced skills. Recruitment difficulties and a growing need for specialist care contribute to continued salary increases, while the job market remains competitive.

Hand surgeon salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 93 600 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 84,600 SEK/month (men), 91,200 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 110,600 SEK/month (men), 101,500 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage (average): 563 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 98 % of what men do (92 900 SEK/month vs 94 300 SEK/month)
  • Regional differences: No comprehensive statistics, but variations may occur depending on region and employer

Education and qualifications

The path to becoming a hand surgeon is long and requires both broad medical knowledge and specialized training. First, a medical degree is needed, followed by general internship (AT), specialist training in surgery, and then further specialization in hand surgery. In addition to formal education, practical experience and continuing education are crucial for success in the profession.

  • Medical degree: 5.5 years (university)
  • Internship (AT): 18–24 months
  • Specialist training (ST) in surgery: approximately 5 years
  • Subspecialization in hand surgery: 1–2 years
  • Continuing education and certifications: Ongoing throughout career
  • Prerequisites: Approved grades from high school with a science focus

Hand surgery combines surgical skill with artistic precision – often requiring work with microscopes and specialized instruments to restore fine motor skills and sensation in patients' hands. This makes the profession particularly attractive for those who enjoy problem-solving and advanced technology.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Hand surgeons are often offered competitive pension contributions, generous vacation benefits, opportunities for research and educational stipends, as well as compensation for on-call and standby duties. Special wellness allowances and access to internal training are also common among public and private employers.

Competition and challenges

The job market for hand surgeons is characterized by high competition for the most attractive positions, especially at leading university hospitals and larger specialist clinics. At the same time, recruitment difficulties exist in several parts of the country, creating opportunities for newly graduated professionals with the right skills. Challenges often include staying updated with rapid medical advancements and managing the psychological pressure associated with advanced and sometimes emergency surgeries. High workload, long working hours, and demands for continuous professional development are other factors affecting the profession. Balancing patient safety, technological progress, and work environment is essential for long-term success.

Tips for aspiring hand surgeons

To succeed as a hand surgeon, it is important to combine technical skill with a genuine interest in people's health. Precision and good fine motor skills are essential, as the work involves working with small anatomical structures. Analytical ability helps with complex diagnoses and treatment plans, while patience and perseverance are necessary to complete the long education process. Communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and patients, and a willingness to continue learning is crucial to keep up with rapid developments in hand surgery. Flexibility and adaptability are also advantageous as tasks and technologies evolve over time.

Key facts about hand surgery

  • Educational level: Specialist doctor degree (at least 13 years total)
  • Work environment: Hospitals, specialist clinics, operating rooms
  • Typical work form: Full-time, often with on-call duties
  • Demand: Very high, especially in metropolitan areas
  • Special skills: Microsurgery, fine motor skills, advanced technology

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a hand surgeon, opportunities open to take on greater medical responsibilities, such as department head, medical manager, or supervisor for younger colleagues. Research, teaching, and international exchanges are also common career tracks. Projections from the Employment Service indicate very good job prospects nationally for specialist doctors, including hand surgeons. Demand is expected to increase further over the next five years, and currently, there are 375 job openings in the field. The recruitment situation is paradoxical: while there is a shortage of expertise, the proportion of part-time workers and those leaving the profession is relatively high, maintaining competition for qualified hand surgeons.

Frequently asked questions about hand surgery

  • What is the average salary of a hand surgeon?
    - The average salary for a hand surgeon is 93 600 SEK per month.
  • What are the salary differences between men and women?
    - Women earn on average 98 % of what men do in the profession.
  • What education is required to become a hand surgeon?
    - Medical degree, internship (AT), specialist training in surgery, and subspecialization in hand surgery are required.
  • What is the job market like for hand surgeons?
    - Demand is very high, and projections show increasing needs over the next five years.
  • What are the highest and lowest salaries for a hand surgeon?
    - The highest salary is 110,600 SEK and the lowest 84,600 SEK per month, depending on employer and experience.
  • What benefits are common in the profession?
    - Common benefits include pension contributions, research opportunities, and wellness allowances.
  • Are there regional salary differences?
    - Some variation exists depending on region and workplace, but detailed statistics are lacking.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-11 09:54:15

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Hand surgeon is 110600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Government sector with a post-secondary education, 3 years or more. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 101500 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Hand surgeon is 84600 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 91200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 94% 77600 kr 81800 kr
35-44 98% 82500 kr 86800 kr
45-54 99% 91300 kr 95900 kr
55-64 101% 94700 kr 98500 kr
65-68 98% 99000 kr 101800 kr
Snitt 98% 89300 kr 93600 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
Register an account before you can comment

To write a comment you need to create an account.

Default Avatar

About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Hand surgeon has the SSYK code 2211, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

Search salary statistics for occupation
8000 kr
<-|->
90000 kr
Vacant jobs
Show more
Similar occupations
Latest posts
  • Public Opinion - Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Public Opinion

    Opinion Poll Status Novus: Unchanged Support – Social Democrats Largest

    Wed, 19 Nov 2025 - 08:35
  • National Debt - The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    National Debt

    The National Debt – Level, Development, and Significance for Sweden

    Wed, 8 Oct 2025 - 08:00
Salary, Taxes, and Fees
Net salary 31 377
Net salary
31 377
Taxes
11 738
Fees
12 129

With our Swedish tax calculator, you can easily calculate your after-tax income (net salary).

Swedish Church Member

* Updated with 2025 taxes

Explore more topics